Features and characteristics:

Varieties:

10 varieties of Sugarcane are grown in Malawi with N14 being the most commonly used variety because of having a high potential dual value crop and high plant population, as well as increased leaf area index which can be used for carbon credits trading and also green house gas emissions

Benefits:

Consumption sweetener; an ingredient in the production of confectioneries and beverages; alcoholic beverage production; Rum; Syrup. Our sugar is sweeter which makes it highly demanded.

Role and Status in Malawi Export:

Sugar is one of the key export products for Malawi. Since 2000 sugar has overtaken tea to become the second largest export product and comprises 9.5% of Malawi’s total exports.

Sugar Producers

The main sugar producer is Illovo Malawi. However new producers are entering the market such as Ntalimanja Holdings, Kasinthula and Dwangwa Cane Growers Association.

Location, Topography

Malawi produces high sucrose sugar. Uniquely, Malawi has favourable climatic conditions which ensures year round cultivation of sugarcane suitable for the crop and ensures sugar is harvestable within a year.

Production and Supply Capacity

The annual production of sugarcane in Malawi guarantees that Malawi’s sugar is readily and sustainably available on both domestic and international markets.

Malawi produces on average 300,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually and export about 97% of the total production.